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 UPFRONT/SPECIAL | Jul 26, 2013 | 2343 views

Why You Can Bank on India Post

by Dinesh Narayanan

The government’s postal arm is unmatched in terms of reach and management of deposits

Image: Getty Images

O

f the 26 aspirants who want to set up a bank, the government arm, India Post, appears to be best placed to fulfil the objective of financial inclusion. The Reserve Bank of India has said new banks will have to set up at least three branches in villages with a population of less than 10,000 for each branch they establish in other areas.

Unlike what many believe, a Post Bank of India (PBI) will be a completely new entity with no legacies of a government department and very little to do with its parent, except using some of its network. It will have an independent board and just two members from the government, one from the finance ministry and another from the department of post.

Geographically, the India Post network beats the entire banking system in the country. The ubiquitous mail carrier is present in more than 1,55,000 locations in India, 90 percent of them in villages. On an average, a post office serves an area of a little over 21 sq km and a population of 7,175, much lower than the RBI norm. In terms of experience with collecting deposits, the crucial left hand side of a bank balance sheet, again the department is unmatched. It manages over Rs 6 lakh crore in savings deposits and offers several financial services such as pensions schemes, insurance, recurring deposits and remittances.

That said, one of the crucial areas in which the department is short in experience is credit; the bread and butter for a bank.

To be sure, the idea of a PBI has been around for nearly 15 years as leaps in modern communications technology gradually made the snail mail unattractive and obsolete. On July 14, India Post shut down its 162-year-old telegraph service.

About five to six years ago, the Administrative Staff College of India prepared a report on turning the post office into a bank. It was more wishful thinking than a concrete business plan. It had proposed turning all post offices into bank branches. “That would have required about Rs 62,000 crore in capital and Rs 2 lakh crore in priority sector lending,” says Ashvin Parekh, Partner and National Industry Leader, Global Financial Services, Ernst & Young. RBI norms require all new banks to comply with reserve requirements from start.

The RBI and the finance ministry had also raised concerns about the department’s credit capability. It was clear that turning the entire network into a bank was a non-starter.

According to the plan prepared by Ernst & Young, India Post will become PBI’s banking correspondent. PBI, which will start with just 40 branches, will use the post office infrastructure but very frugally. In the beginning, it is only looking at a small, Rs 5,000 crore bank. That also means the government will not have to shell out huge amounts of capital. Anyway, the bank will need to bring in new shareholders and sell equity to the public for a stock market listing, as per RBI norms.

The bank can also leverage the technology backbone that is being put in place. The department has a Rs 4500 crore allocation in the 12th Plan for technology upgradation. Of that budget, Rs 1,200 crore will go only into financial services, including a core banking software, Infosys’ Finacle.

Carefully done, the PBI can be a game-changer in rural areas. It has a great brand recall and in many villages of India, the postman is a popular person. In fact, it can go one step ahead and even play a role in financial literacy in villages. 

Details/Pattern ofPA/SA PHASE-II EXAM

Details/Pattern of Postal/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) Phase-II Exam 2013 (Computer/Typing Test)

Now as Postal Department started publishing the List of Shortlisted Candidates for Paper-II based on the performance in Paper-I(Aptitude Test), its time now to understand the details of Paper-II (Computer Typing/Data Entry Test) & Practice it.

Results of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, North East, Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala Postal Circles already stands published in the official website.

Results of Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Haryana, Himanchal Pradesh and Rajasthan Circles are expected soon.

Here is the list of number of candidates shortlisted from each Circle based on the results declared so far.

Name of Circle	No. of Shortlisted Candidates for Paper-II
Andhra Pradesh	2115
Gujarat	983
Karnataka	612
Maharashtra	1947
Tamil Nadu	1783
Assam	2114
Chhattisgarh	330
Jharkhand	640
Madhya Pradesh	1097
North East	153
Odisha	749
West Bengal	2023
Kerala	1000

Pattern of Paper-II (Computer / Typing Test):

The Typing Test shall be for a duration of 30 minutes (15 minutes each for Typewriting and data entry) consisting of one passage of 450 words in English or 375 words in Hindi to be typed with a minimum speed of 30/25 words per minute respectively & Data entry of some figures and letters each carrying equal marks on Computers.

The typing test and test of data entry operations will be conducted on Computer key board but not on type writer.

Note: The final merit shall be prepared on the basis of the aggregate marks obtained by the Applicants in the Aptitude Test (Paper I) only subject to their qualifying in Computer/Typing test ( Paper II). ie, there will be no marks for Typing/Data entry test. You have to just qualify the minimum criteria in Paper-2 and final merit list shall be prepared on the basis of marks of Paper-I only.

Probation period of PA/SA

Directorate vide memo No. 60-3/2013-SPB-I dated 8/7/2013 has clarified that ás per revised Recruitment Rules for the post of Postal Assistant / Sorting Assitant notified on 3rd November 2011, the period of probation is the same i.e. two years but the provision of Examination for confirmation has been discontinued and clearance of probation period is to be decided by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). It is also clarified that who have not yet cleared the confirmation test may not be subjected to confirmation examination but may be assessed for clearing their probation after taking into consideration their performance during the induction training, the special report /ACRs and any other relevant input. If they are not found up to the mark, their probation period may be extended as per the Government's instructins. In such cases, PAs/SAs shall be considered for clearance of probation period from a prospective date and not with retrospective effect. 

THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR

AWAKE, ARISE, UNITE

The 9th Federal Council of NFPE held at Hyderabad from 9^th to 13^th June 2013, gave a clarion call to the five lakhs Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) to be ready for an indefinite strike, in case our demand for setting up of seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) and merger of DA with pay is rejected by the Central Government. The conference in one voice also demanded the Government to withdraw the Contributory Pension Scheme and scrap the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill. It further decided that even if Pay Commission is appointed, if the Government refuse to include the revision of wages and service conditions of GDS in the term of reference of the CPC and grant the DA merger benefit to GDS, entire employees shall go on indefinite strike.

The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, the united fighting organisation of Central Government Employees, in its 24^th National Conference held at Kolkata from 4^th to 6^th May 2013 has taken a historic decision to go on indefinite strike demanding constitution of seventh CPC, DA merger, scrapping of New Pension Scheme and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands. The decision of the Confederation clearly reflected the aspiration and commitment of about 28 lakhs of Central Government Employees and about 40 lakh Central Government Pensioners. Unlike in the past, this time, the Confederation has rightly decided to project the GDS demands as one of the main demands and in the 12^th December 2012 strike the GDS participated in the strike en-masse as per the call given by NFPE, even though the so-called recognized union of GDS has not even given strike notice.

Finally, as in the past, as a logical corollary, the Railway and Defence employees Federations have also decided to go for an indefinite strike raising the 7^th CPC and DA merger demand. Due to conscious and persistent effort made by Confederation, especially its versatile and undisputed leader Com. S. K. Vyas Ji, a joint meeting of AIRF, AIDEF and Confederation was arranged on 29^th July 2013 and Joint Council of Action (JCA) is formed, the JCA decided to organize various campaign programmes, culminating in indefinite strike. As a first step it is decided to submit a letter to the Government listing out the demands and also its time-bound settlement. The seven point charter of demands includes setting up of 7^th CPC, DA merger, compassionate appointment, regularization of GDS and Casual Labourers, Scrapping of PFRDA Bill, removal of bonus emolument ceiling, functioning of JCM and implementation of arbitration awards. Even though in the past, the dominant leadership of the National Council JCM has taken a stand that as GDS do not come under JCM, their demand cannot be included, this time the Confederation and NFPE leadership could convince them and they agreed for inclusion of GDS demands also.

Thus a situation has emerged wherein the entire Central Government employees stands united and determined to realize just and genuine demands. The message is loud and clear. Now it is the duty and responsibility of each and every one of us to carry the message to the grass-root level workers and build up broadest unity among the rank and file. Once such a rock-like unity for struggle is achieved, no Government can reject our justified demands. Time is short. Let us awake, arise and unite.

C. G. Employees and their dependents can avail treatment in a non empanelled Private hospitals in emergency conditions and get reimbursement

 

(G.I MH OM No. F. No. S. 14025/14/2012-MS, dated 11.06.2013)

Revision of rates for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in emergency conditions under CS (MA) Rules, 1944

The undersigned is directed to state that the issue of revision of rates for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on availing medical treatment in emergency conditions under CS (MA) Rules, 1944, when treatment is taken in a non-empanelled private hospital, has been under consideration of the Government for some time.

2. It has now been decided that, reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by a Central Government employee covered under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 on availing medical treatment for himself and his dependent family members in emergency conditions, would be allowed as per the prevailing non –NABH CGHS rates as applicable to a CGHS covered city and non-NABH rates applicable to the nearest CGHS covered city in case of non-CGHS city, as the case may be, or the actuals, whichever is less.

3. For the medical treatment in such cases where package rates are prescribed under CGHS, the non-NABH rates of the CGHS covered city and non-NABH rates of the nearest CGHS city (in case of non-CGHS covered city) or the actuals, whichever is less, will be applicable.

4. This OM supersedes all earlier orders issued from time to time under CS (MA) Rules, 1944 on this subject for allowing reimbursement of medical expenses in emergency conditions when treatment is taken in a non-empanelled private hospital.

5. This OM will come into effect from the date of issue.

6. This issue with the concurrence of the Integrated Finance Division vide their Dy. No. C-282, dated 22.05.2013.

EXEMPTION FROM FILING ITR (INCOME TAX RETURN) NOT EXTENDED THIS ASSESSMENT YEAR 2013-14 – CBDT

       Income Tax Department issues press release to clarify that unlike previous year Salaried Employees with Total Income up to Rs.5 lakhs too have to file ITR (Income Tax Return) this year viz., Assessment year 2013-14.

       The full text of Press Release issued by CBDT (Cenral Board of Direct Tax) is as follows:

       The CBDT has, vide notification dated 1-05-2013, made E-filing of Return compulsory for Assessment Year 2013-14 for persons having total assessable income exceeding Five lakh rupees.

       The CBDT vide its earlier notifications had exempted salaried employees having total income up to Rs. 5 lakhs including income from other sources up to Rs. 10,000/- from the requirement of filing return of income for assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. The exemption was available only for the assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13. The exemption was giving considering ‘paper filing of returns’ and their ‘processing through manual entry’ on system.

          However, this year the facility for online filing of returns has been made user-friendly with the advantage of pre-filled return forms. These E-filed forms also get electronically processed at the central processing centre in a speedy manner. Hence, the exemption provided during the last two years is not being extended for assessment year 2013-14. Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically. E-filing is an easy, fast and secure method of filing of income tax return. Moreover, Digital signature is not mandatory for these taxpayers and they can transmit the data in the return electronically by downloading ITRs, or by online filing and thereafter submit the verification of the return in From ITR-V acknowledgement after signature to Central Processing Centre.

        The processing for E-filed returns is faster. From 25th July to 31st July 2013 (Except 27th and 28th July being holidays), Special Return Receipt Counters are opened in IT Offices  (FOR SALARIED TAX PAYERS) 

RECONSTITUTION OF POSTAL SERVICES STAFF WELFARE BOARD

RECONSTITUTION OF POSTAL SERVICES STAFF WELFARE BOARD FOR THE PERIOD FROM 01.04.2013 TO 31.03.2015 (Department of Posts Order dated 04^th July -2013 placed below)

GOVERNMENT ALLOTS RS 1,300 CR TO POST BANK

  NEW DELHI: The expenditure department has decided to sanction Rs 1,300 crore to the proposed Post Bank of India to meet its capital requirements even as the department of financial services (DFS) - the wing in the finance ministry that deals with state-run banks and their poliiies - chose to stay away from the  issue.

         The proposal's backing by the expenditure finance commission and its subsequent green light by finance minister       P Chidambaram is seen as the official go-ahead by the finance ministry, ignoring the DFS's stance. The DFS position is seen as the first instance of the agency not backing the Post Bank's plan, which officers in the department have privately mocked at

         "They think they can use the postal deposit model for their banking foray. Nothing in their plan seems to be clear. Banking isn't easy," said an officer, who did not wish to be identified. In fact, a strong Post Bank is seen to be the biggest challenge to existing public sector banks, including State Bank of India, which controls 70% of the banking business in the country. SBI, the largest lender, has a little less than 15,000 branches, while there are over 1.5 lakh post offices across the country.

         Although Post Bank does not intend to open a bank branch in each post office, the plan is to use postmen to meet the financial inclusion goal. Secretary (posts) P Gopinath refused to speak to TOI despite several attempts.

According to the plan, Post Bank will have 50 branches in the first year, which will be increased to 150 by the fifth year. The branches will be located in select Head Post Offices in Tier-1-4 centres and select Sub-Post Offices in Tier-5-6 centres.

         To meet RBI norms, the postal department proposes to set up a new entity - Post Bank of India - that will have an independent board and separate operations. Apart from independent directors, the board will have representatives from the finance ministry and the postal department. Separate recruitment has been planned to have specialist bankers.

        While converting the entire postal network would have meant a capital requirement of over Rs 60,000 crore, by setting up a special entity, the fund requirement has been reduced. This, officers said, will also help create a more focused strategy.

Source : THE TIMES OF INDIA  dated 22/07/2013

INTRODUCTION OF CIRCLE WELFARE FUND FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS...REGARDING CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Proposed meetings at Dircetorate

1. Discussion on JCA memorandum (NFPE & FNPO) with  Secretary ,Posts likely to be on 2^nd August 2013.
2. JCM(DC) Standing Committee meeting for discussing progress on pending items on 23^rd August 2013.
3. JCM(DC) meeting for discussing new items likely in September 2013

DIRECT RECRUITMENT PA/SA EXAM RESULT ;LATEST UPDATE

Direct Recruitment PA/SA Examination - LATEST UPDATE

	UPDATE as on 17-JUL-2013
I.	Aptitude Test (Paper I) for all the postal circles is completed. The List of shortlisted  candidates for the Computer Typing / Data Entry (PAPER II) for Andhra Pradesh,  Gujrat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,  Madhya Pradesh, North East, Odisha, West Bengal Postal Circles is given in the  link below:   SHORT LISTED CANDIDATES FOR PAPER II  The list in respect of the remaining Postal Circles will be published shortly.
II.	The above Short List has been prepared in accordance with the procedure published in the Notification No 60-9/2009 SPB1 dated 8-5-2012. The candidates who figure  in the above list have qualified for appearing in the Paper II based on marks in the  Paper I.
III	The list is in order of Roll Number.
IV.	Paper II is tentatively scheduled on 10th,11th,24th,25th,31th August 2013 and  1st September 2013
V.	Admit Card for Paper II will be dispatched shortly. Admit Card can also be generated on this website by the candidates

53RD ANNIVERSARY OF 1960 STRIKE

Today, is the 53^rd anniversary of the Glorious Strike of the Central Government Employees which started on 11^th July 1960 and continued for 5 days on the basic demands of the workers. That was their biggest strike in independent India till then, which shook the edifice of the Government. It was suppressed by all repressive measures putting thousands in jail, dismissal, termination etc. But the workers never surrendered. The mighty one day Token Strike on 19^th September 1968 reminded the Government that the workers can never be suppressed all the times. On this day our Revolutionary salutes to all those comrades who sacrificed their lives at the altar of struggle and also who faced inhuman suppression and also the lakhs of workers who participated. Red Salute to all those who showed through their action that the united struggle is the right path.

DECISION OF CENTRAL TRADE UNION HELD ON 8TH JULY,2013

Decision of Central Trade Unions held on 8th July 2013

The Joint meeting of Central Trade Unions held on 8^th July 2013 at BMS office, New Delhi has decided the following course of joint mobilization/agitations and activities

1.      National Convention of Trade Unions on 6^th August 2013 at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi

2.      State level and district level rallies/agitations/demonstrations/jail bharo etc during last week of September 2013

3.      March/demonstration before Parliament in the month of December during Parliament session.

4.      In various sectors like Coal, Telecom, Banks & Insurance, Transport, Power, Port & Dock etc, joint struggles/strikes are being planned/undertaken by the respective federations. All support should be extended to those struggles. Central Trade Unions should also jointly endeavour to develop sectoral struggles in various sectors. 

Dates and details of programmes in September and December will be finalized through joint consultation of Central Trade Unions and announced from the National Convention.

 

SOME IMPORTANT EVENT OF RATHA YATRA

CAR FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE,

HOLY CAR FESTIVAL IN PURI

HAPPY RATHA YATRA

 

  AIPEU  PURI WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY RATHA YATRA .THE SEASON OF CAR FESTIVAL THE RATHA YATRA BEGINS FROM JYOSTHA TRAIYODASHI TO ASHADHA TRIODASHI THAT IS THIRTEENTH OF JYOSTHA TO THIRTEEN OF ASHATHA ALMOST ONE MONTH.THREE IDOLS GET DOWN FROM THE HOLY THRONE CALLED RATNA SINHASAN ON THIRTEENTH OF JYOSTHA AND RETURN BACK TO THE RATNA SINHASAN ON THE SAME DAY OF ASHADHA ON THE HOLY NILADRIBIJE .

ALL WOMEN"S POST OFFICE IN KERALA

Another woman’s world opens

Kerala first All-women Post Office opens at PMG Junction in the capital

After the Police Department, the Postal sector in the State is now ready with its all-woman brigade.

At PMG Junction in the capital city, Kerala’s first all-women post office has opened its doors to the public. Its four employees, from the post master to the helper, are women. The post office will only be officially be inaugurated on Friday, but it has already caught the public eye, with its staff — post master S. Shanthi, postal clerk R. Manju, stamp vendor C. Chandrika, and helper Latha Kumari — gaining star status among the customers. Congratulatory messages and sweet packets are pouring into the post office, and so are best wishes notes, the staff members say.

“We are overwhelmed by the response from the customers who always have a word of encouragement for us. We understand that they also expect us to be more service oriented and hope to gain more loyal customers through our service”, explains Ms. Shanthi, who has been in the postal service for 31 years.

The post office is part of a national initiative to set up all-women post offices to empower women and encourage gender equality in various sectors. The first such office was inaugurated at Shashtri Bhavan in Delhi on March 8, International Women’s day. Since then similar post offices were started in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.

Senior Superintendent, Thiruvananthapuram (North Division), A. Remadevi says the all-women post offices will have all the facilities available in regular post offices.

Source:-The Hindu 

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India Post needs to become a corporate for banking foray

While most of the 26 applicants for banking licence were usual suspects, there were a few surprises, too. And there was at least one unusual name, although its banking ambition was well known.

The application by the Indian postal department, a division of the ministry of communications & information technology, has raised some curiosity within the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is because RBIs new bank licence norms released in February this year  talked about new bank licences in the private sector.

Since India Post is a part of a ministry, it cannot be considered as a private sector entity. According to RBI sources, to be eligible for a bank licence, India Post will have to become a corporate entity, because a government department cannot come under RBI purview. For example, if they are found violating the know-your-customer (KYC) or anti-money laundering norms, how can the regulator impose penalty against the sovereign, asked an RBI official.

India Post has for long wanted to diversify into a bank and had held discussions with RBI on this. According to experts, while the postal departments huge rural presence definitely gives it an edge to get a licence because both RBI and the government are emphasising on financial inclusion.

Technically, there are challenges on whether it fulfils the prescribed criteria but its reach definitely makes it a strong contender, sources said.

According to the final guidelines on a new bank licence, RBI has mandated 25 per cent of bank branches to be opened in un-banked rural areas. New banks should also meet priority sector norms right from inception.

Globally, there are examples of postal departments diversifying into lending activity. Deutsche Postbank  the Bonn-headquartered German retail bank  was formed from the de-merger of the postal savings division of Deutsche Bundespost in 1990.

With around 14 million clients, 19,000 employees and total assets amounting to ^170 billion, the Postbank Group is one of Germanys largest financial service providers. According to its website, the lender focuses on business with private customers as well as small and medium-sized companies.

The 26 entities that have applied to RBI include the Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, the Anil Ambani Group, heavy engineering major L&T and a host of non-banking financial companies, including a gold loan company. Two micro finance companies have also applied.

Of the 26 applicants, there are usual suspects, but some surprises, too. There are a few names which meet the minimum requirement, but could rank low in terms of relative probability to get a licence. We expected a higher number of applicants, maybe around 30-35, said Monish Shah, senior director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India.

Courtesy: Business Standard, 04th July 20

DISBURSEMENT OF PENSION

DISBURSEMENT OF PENSION

DISBURSEMENT OF PENSION BY AGENCY BANKS: RBI MASTER CIRCULAR FOR CENTRAL CIVIL/DEFENCE/TELECOM/ RAILWAY /POSTAL/STATE PENSIONER CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

SCHEME FOR PAYMENT OF PENSION TO GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS BY AUTHORISED BANKS: FAQ BY RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (RBI) CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

First All Women Post Office of Odisha Circle opened at Odisha Assembly NDTSO under Bhubaneswar Division

   Odisha Assembly NDT SO under Bhubaneswar GPO was opened today i.e.01.07.2013 as the   first All Women Post Office of Odisha Circle  by Sri S.K.Chakraborty, Principal Chief  Post Master General, Orissa Circle in the presence of Sri Pawan Kumar Singh, DPS ( Hq.), Sri Aditya Kumar Nayak, SSPOs , Bhubaneswar Division and Sri Bijay Kumar Patra , ASP (OD ), Bhubaneswar Division.

Smt. Sugi Baske  joined as 1^st  woman Sub Postmaster and Smt. Umarani Devi as MTS of the Odisha Assembly All Women Post Office .

SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE ADDRESSED THE IPS PROBATIONERS

SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE ADDRESSED THE IPS PROBATIONERS

Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE & General Secretary, AIPEU Group ‘C’ (CHQ) was invited by the Postal Training Academy (Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy) Ghaziabad for an interaction with the IPS Probationers of 2011 batch who are completing their induction training by the middle of July 2013. The subject given is_“Why are Service Unions important”. Secretary General in his one hour address explained every aspect of the subject in detail. After his presentation there was an interactive session for an hour. Secretary General answered all the questions and queries raised by the IPS Probationers.  Sri. V. Rajarajan, Additional Director, RAKNPA was present. Details will be published in the Journal.